Preventing flow through subterranean zones

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods of preventing the flow of water or gas or both through a subterranean zone having a high temperature and a depth such that a long pumping time is required to place a sealing composition therein. The methods basically comprise the steps of preparing a polymeric sealing composition comprised of water, a cross-linking agent and a selected water-soluble polymer which reacts with the cross-linking agent and forms a sealing gel which is stable for a desired period of time at the temperature of the zone and has a pumping time before gelation in the presence of the cross-linking agent whereby the composition can be pumped to the depth of the zone and placed therein. Thereafter, the sealing composition is pumped into the zone and allowed to form a sealing gel therein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/205,467 filed on Dec. 4, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,315.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improved methods of preventing water and/or gas flow through a subterranean zone, and particularly to such methods wherein the subterranean zone has a high temperature and is at a depth requiring a long pumping time.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The production of water with oil and/or gas from wells constitutes a major problem and expense in the production of oil and gas. While oil and gas wells are usually completed in hydrocarbon producing formations, when there is a water producing zone adjacent to the hydrocarbon producing formation, the higher mobility of the water often allows it to flow into the hydrocarbon producing formation by way of natural fractures and high permeability streaks. In the production of such wells, the ratio of water to hydrocarbons recovered often becomes so high that the cost of producing the water, separating it from the hydrocarbons and disposing of it represents a significant economic loss.

In order to reduce the production of undesired water and/or gas from hydrocarbon producing formations, aqueous polymer solutions containing cross-linking agents have been utilized heretofore. Such aqueous polymer solutions have been pumped into the hydrocarbon producing formations so that they enter water and/or gas zones within and adjacent to the formations and cross-link therein. The cross-linking of the polymer solutions causes them to form stiff gels which stop or reduce the flow of the undesired water and/or gas.

While the use of aqueous polymer solutions for reducing the production of undesired formation water and/or gas has achieved varying degrees of success, the cross-linking agents used to cross-link the polymer have often contained chromium or phenol/formaldehyde. These cross-linking agents are undesirable in that they either have high toxicities or produce cross-linked gels having low gel stabilities at high temperatures and/or at pH values greater than about 8.

In addition, the aqueous polymer compositions utilized heretofore for reducing the production of undesired water and/or gas from subterranean zones having high temperatures and requiring long pumping times have often been unsuccessful. That is, the compositions have not produced gels which remain stable at the high temperatures involved and/or they have not had the required pumping time at the high temperatures to reach and be placed in the subterranean zone.

Thus, there is a continuing need for improved methods of preventing water flow through subterranean zones.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides improved methods of preventing undesired water and/or gas flow through a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore. The subterranean zone can have a high temperature and be at a depth such that a long pumping time is required to place a sealing composition therein. The methods basically comprise preparing a polymeric sealing composition comprised of water, a cross-linking agent and a selected water soluble polymer or mixture of polymers which reacts with the cross-linking agent and forms a sealing gel which is stable for a desired period of time at the temperature of the subterranean zone and has a sufficient pumping time before gelation in the presence of the cross-linking agent whereby the composition can be pumped to the depth of the zone and placed therein. Thereafter, the sealing composition is pumped into the zone by way of a well bore penetrating it and the sealing composition is allowed to form a cross-linked gel in the zone.

Depending upon the temperature of the subterranean zone to be sealed and the pumping time required, a selected type of water and a selected water soluble polymer are used. The water is selected from natural seawater, synthetic seawater, brine, unsaturated salt water and fresh water. While various water soluble polymers can be utilized, suitable such polymers are polyacrylamide, AMPS®/acrylamide copolymers, sulfonated styrene/maleic anhydride copolymers, vinylpyrrolidone/AMPS®/acrylamide terpolymers and AMPS®/N-N-dimethylacrylamide/acrylamide terpolymers.

The cross-linking agent utilized in accordance with this invention is preferably chitosan which is a biodegradable and non-toxic glucosamine polymer derived from chitin.

In order to reduce the pumping time of a sealing composition of this invention while maintaining the temperature at which a stable gel is formed, a gelation accelerating agent can be included in the sealing composition. The weight ratio of polymer to cross-linker can also be varied to lengthen or shorten the pumping time.

Thus, it is a general object of the present invention to provide improved methods of preventing undesired water and/or gas flow through a subterranean zone.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the description of preferred embodiments which follows.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides methods of preventing undesired water and/or gas flow through a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore. As mentioned, the subterranean zone can have a high temperature and be at a depth such that a long pumping time is required to place a sealing composition therein. The term “high temperature(s)” is used herein to mean a temperature in the range of from about 150° F. to about 500° F. The term “long pumping time(s)” is used herein to mean a pumping time in the range of from about 2 hours to about 14 days. The “pumping time” is the length of time between when a polymeric sealing composition of this invention is prepared and when the composition forms a gel and can no longer be pumped into or through a porous rock formation without fracturing the formation.

The methods of this invention basically comprise the steps of preparing a polymeric sealing composition comprised of water, a cross-linking agent and a selected water soluble polymer or mixture of polymers which reacts with the cross-linking agent and forms a sealing gel which is stable for a desired period of time at the temperature of the zone. The polymeric sealing composition also has a pumping time before gelation in the presence of the cross-linking agent whereby the composition can be pumped to the depth of the zone and placed therein. After preparation, the sealing composition is pumped into the zone by way of the well bore penetrating it and is allowed to form a cross-linked sealing gel in the zone.

It has been discovered that the temperature at which gelation occurs, the length of time the resulting gel is stable and the pumping time of an aqueous polymer composition containing a cross-linking agent can all be controlled by the proper selection of the water and the polymer or polymers utilized in the composition. The water can be selected from natural seawater, synthetic seawater, brine, unsaturated salt water and fresh water, and the polymer or polymers can be selected from homopolymers, copolymers, terpolymers and mixtures thereof. By increasing the level of bulky monomers in the selected polymer or polymers utilized, the temperature at which the polymer compositions form a gel can be raised, the pump times can be increased at a particular temperature and/or the stability of the gel at a particular temperature can be reduced or increased. A relatively short gel stability can be utilized for temporarily sealing a subterranean zone while a gel having long term stability can be used for sealing a subterranean zone for an extended period of time.

In addition to the particular types of water and polymer utilized in the sealing composition, the gel time and gel stability can be varied by varying the polymer to cross-linking agent weight ratio in the sealing composition and/or including a gelation accelerating agent in the composition.

The sealing compositions useful in accordance with the present invention are comprised of water, a cross-linking agent and a selected water soluble polymer or mixture of polymers which reacts with the cross-linking agent and forms a sealing gel that has a desired pumping time before gelation and is stable for a desired period of time at the temperature of the subterranean zone in which it is placed.

The water in the sealing compositions can be natural seawater, synthetic seawater, brine, unsaturated salt water or fresh water. The particular type of water utilized changes the pumping time of the sealing compositions before gelation occurs. Generally, the pumping time increases with increasing salt concentration in the water. When chitosan is utilized as the cross-linking agent, the water can include an organic or inorganic acid to facilitate the dissolution of the chitosan.

The preferred cross-linking agent for use in accordance with this invention is chitosan which is biodegradable and non-toxic. Chitosan is a polymeric glucosamine derivative of chitin which is a naturally occurring glucosamine polysaccharide structurally similar to cellulose. Chitin is the principal constituent of the shells of crabs, lobsters and beetles.

Chitosan polymers have heretofore been cross-linked with cross-linking agents such as glyoxyl, glutaraldehyde, oxo-acids and acid anhydrides and utilized as highly absorbent materials (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,916 issued to Dutkiewiez et al. on Feb. 4, 1997), gels having high adsorbing power (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,265 issued to Muzzarelli on May 30, 1989), highly enriched magnetized particles (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,025 issued to Glasser et al. on Jun. 26, 1999) and other similar materials (as taught by Roberts and Taylor in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.31, pp. 1169-1176 [1986]).

A variety of water soluble polymers can be utilized in accordance with the present invention. Examples of suitable such polymers include, but are not limited to, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone AMPS®(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid)/acrylamide copolymers, sulfonated styrene/maleic anhydride copolymers, vinylpyrrolidone/AMPS®/acrylamide terpolymers, AMPS®/N-N-dimethylacrylamide/acrylamide terpolymers, polyketones and oxidized polyvinyl alcohol. The water soluble polymers which are used in the present invention can themselves be biodegradable and/or non-toxic. Examples of such polymers include alginic acid derivatives, oxidized polyvinyl alcohol and low molecular weight acrylic polymers.

Generally, by increasing the fraction of bulky or less reactive monomers in the polymer, the temperature at which gelation occurs can be increased, the pumping time at a given temperature can be increased and/or the stability of the gel formed can be increased or decreased. For example, when a subterranean zone to be sealed has a temperature in the range of from about 70° F. to about 230° F. and requires a pumping time in the range of from about 2 hours to about 96 hours, the water soluble polymer utilized in the sealing composition can be polyacrylamide or AMPS®/acrylamide copolymer. When the subterranean zone has a temperature in the range of from about 200° F. to about 350° F. and requires a pumping time in the range of from about 2 hours to about 14 days, the water soluble polymer can be a sulfonated styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer, a vinyl pyrrolidone/AMPS®/acrylamide terpolymer, an AMPS®/N-N-dimethylacrylamide/acrylamide terpolymer or a mixture of such polymers.

While biodegradable and non-toxic chitosan is preferred for use as the organic cross-linking agent in accordance with this invention various other organic cross-linking agents can be utilized in accordance with the present invention. Examples of such organic cross-linking agents are polyalkyleneimines, polyalkylenepolyamines and mixtures thereof. In addition, water-soluble polyfunctional aliphatic amines, arylalkylamines and heteroarylalkylamines can be utilized.

Generally, the water soluble polymer utilized is included in a sealing composition of this invention in an amount in the range of from about 0.5% to about 20% by weight of the composition. The cross-linking agent is included in the sealing composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.05% to about 15% by weight of the composition. The weight ratio of the water soluble polymer to a chitosan cross-linking agent is in the range of from about 50:1 to about 1.1:1.

As mentioned above, the weight ratio of water soluble polymer to cross-linking agent can be varied to change the pumping time before gelation and other properties of the sealing composition. That is, the weight ratio of the water soluble polymer used to the cross-linking agent can be varied in the range of from about 10:1 to about 400:1 to achieve desired results.

The gelation accelerating agent mentioned above which can be utilized to reduce pumping time before gelation at a given temperature can be a pH control compound such as an alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or hydroxide, a mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid, an organic acid such as acetic acid, a Lewis acid such as boric acid or other compounds such as ammonium chloride, urea and lactose. Of these, boric acid is preferred. When utilized, boric acid is added to the sealing compositions of this invention in a general amount in the range of from about 0.005% to about 0.1% by weight of the composition.

In order to further illustrate the methods and sealing compositions of this invention, the following examples are given.

EXAMPLE 1

Polymeric sealing compositions of the present invention were prepared utilizing fresh water or unsaturated potassium chloride salt water and a polyacrylamide polymer. The polyacrylamide polymer utilized was a solid comprised of 90 mole percent acrylamide and 10 mole percent acrylate salt from acrylamide hydrolysis. The molecular weight of the polymer was 5,000,000. The cross-linker utilized in the sealing composition was polyethyleneimine.

The polymer solutions which were tested were prepared by mixing the solid polymer with the water in a blender for the time period required to completely disperse and dissolve the polymer in the water. The quantities of water and polymer utilized were such that the resulting solution contained polymer in an amount of 0.7% by weight of the solution. If a gelation accelerator was included in the polymer solution, it was added followed by the cross-linking agent with a few minutes additional mixing in the blender. Thereafter, the pumping time of the gel, i.e., the time required for the polymer composition to gel at a specific temperature, was measured using one of three different pumping time measurement procedures as follows.

Method A—Brookfield Viscosity Method

About 300 milliliters of the polymer composition to be tested were placed in a 400 milliliter beaker. The beaker was then inserted into a preheated, thermostat controlled Brookfield viscometer equipped with a No. 2 spindle. The spinning rate of the spindle was set at 10 rpm and the variation in viscosity was monitored at temperature as a function of time. The time required to reach a viscosity of 5,000 centipoises was taken as the pumping time.

Method B—Torque Rheometer Method

In accordance with this method, a torque rheometer capable of heating the polymer solution tested to temperatures in excess of the boiling point of water and high pressures (up to 10,000 psi) was used to monitor the gelation of the polymer composition by measuring changes in torque as a function of time at a given temperature. The viscosity changes were measured in Bearden units (Bc). The polymer composition was considered to be gelled when its consistency reached 50 Bc.

Method C—Sealed Tube Method

A 16 mm×150 mm borosilicate glass tube with a screw cap or a 10.2 centimeter pressure tube with a screw cap was filled to about one-half full with polymer composition to be tested. The tube was purged with nitrogen and the screw cap was sealed with a high temperature silicone cement. In addition, a TEFLON® plug was used inside the cap. The tube was placed in a steel bomb and the bomb was placed in a preheated oven at the test temperature. The tube and sealing composition were heated in the oven and periodically, the steel bomb was removed from the oven and the tube was removed from the bomb and allowed to cool below about 150° F. Thereafter, the tube was inspected by turning it 90° from the upright position and measuring the % gelation. This measurement was accomplished by using the following equation: % gelation=100×[(L−T)/(L−H)] wherein T is the length of the liquid/gel level when the tube is in the horizontal position, L is the length of the tube and H is the height of the initial fluid column when the tube is in the vertical position. The time needed to reach a % gelation of 94% or higher was taken as the pumping time.

If syneresis of a gel took place after it was formed, the syneresis was measured in the same way as described in Method C above except that H in the equation represents the height of the gel column prior to aging the gel at a given temperature.

The results of the pumping time tests as well as the polymer composition components and quantities of components are given in Table I below.

TABLE I Pumping Time Tests Using Acrylamide Polymer and Polyethyleneimine Cross-Linking Agent pH of Polymer pH of Polymer Cross-linking Agent Solution Solution Concentration, Type of Gelation Before Adding After Adding Pumping Gel Stability Test % by wt. of Accelerator Type of Cross-linking Cross-linking Temperature, Time, and/or No. Polymer Composition Added - Quantity Water Used Agent Agent ° F. hrs. Comments EFFECT OF GELATION TEMPERATURE 1 0.47 None 2% KCl — — 156 21.75¹ — 2 0.47 None 2% KCl 5.56 10.1 176 11.53¹ — 3 0.47 None 2% KCl — — 166 14.75¹ — 4 1.0 None Fresh Water — — 200  3² — 5 1.0 None Fresh Water — — 230  2.5² Syneresis in 35 days 6 1.0 None 2% KCl — — 230  3² Syneresis in 10 days EFFECT OF GELATION ACCELERATOR 7 0.47 None 2% KCl — — 156 21.75¹ — 8 0.47 Boric Acid - 2% KCl — — 158 13.72¹ — 0.12 g 9 0.47 Sodium 2% KCl — 10.3 167 14.7¹ — Carbonate - 2% by wt. 10 0.47 diluted HCl 2% KCl — 3.63 167  7.9¹ — EFFECT OF CROSS-LINKING AGENT CONCENTRATION 11 0.47 None 2% KCl — — 156 21.75¹ — 12 0.24 None 2% KCl — — 157 17¹ — ¹Method A Used ²Method B Used

From Table I it can be seen that the polymer compositions containing polyacrylamide had different pumping times depending upon the temperature, the type of water utilized, the weight ratio of polymer to cross-linker and the pH of the composition.

EXAMPLE 2

The test procedure described in Example 1 was repeated except that the polymer utilized in the tests was a solid AMPS®/acrylamide copolymer containing 25 mole percent AMPS® and 75 mole percent acrylamide and having a molecular weight of 7,000,000. The results of these tests are given in Table II below.

TABLE II Pumping Time Tests Using AMPS ®/Acrylamide Polymer and Polyethyleneimine Cross-Linking Agent pH of Polymer pH of Polymer Cross-linking Agent Solution Solution Concentration, Type of Gelation Before Adding After Adding Pumping Test % by wt. of Accelerator Type of Cross-linking Cross-linking Temperature, Time, No. Polymer Composition Added - Quantity Water Used Agent Agent ° F. hrs. EFFECT OF GELATION TEMPERATURE 1 0.47 None 2% KCl 6.0 10.6 146 20.25¹ 2 0.47 None 2% KCl — — 167  8.33¹ 3 0.47 None 2% KCl — — 186  3.92¹ EFFECT OF GELATION ACCELERATOR 4 0.47 Boric Acid - 2% KCl — 9.61 152  0.63¹ 0.28 g 5 0.47 Boric Acid - 2% KCl — — 123  0.58¹ 0.28 g 6 0.47 Boric Acid - 2% KCl — — 166  4.88¹ 0.40 g 7 0.47 15% 2% KCl 2.6 — 169  9.67¹ Hydrochloric Acid 8 0.47  1% 2% KCl  9.37 10.6 160 15.25¹ Sodium Carbonate EFFECT OF CROSS-LINKING AGENT CONCENTRATION 9 0.47 Boric Acid - 2% KCl — — 176  1.7¹ 0.03 g 10 0.7 Boric Acid - 2% KCl — — 166  4.9¹ 0.03 g EFFECT OF TYPE OF WATER 11 0.47 None 2% KCl — — 186  3.9¹ 12 0.47 None Sea Water²  8.61 10.2 186  3.25¹ 13 0.47 Boric Acid - 2% KCl — — 152  0.63¹ 0.28 g 14 0.47 Boric Acid - Sea Water² — 9.32 185  3.5¹ 0.28 g ¹Method A ²Synthetic Seawater

EXAMPLE 3

The procedure described in Example 1 was repeated except that the polymer utilized in the tests was a solid vinylpyrrolidone/AMPS®/acrylamide terpolymer containing 30 mole percent vinylpyrrolidone, 60 mole percent AMPS® and 10 mole percent acrylamide and having a molecular weight of 5,000,000. The results of the tests showing the effects of temperature are given in Table III below.

TABLE III Pumping Time Tests Using Vinylpyrrolidone/AMPS ®/Acrylamide Terpolymer and Polyethyleneimine Cross-Linking Agent - Effects of Temperature Cross-linking Agent Concentration, % by wt. of Type of Pumping Gel Stability Test Polymer Water Temperature, Time¹, and/or No. Composition Used ° F. hrs. Comments 1 2 2% KCl 230 — Did not gel in 164 hrs. 2 2 2% KCl 275 336 29% Syneresis in 64 days 3 2 2% KCl 300 72 Gel broke in 14 days [90% gelation] 4 2 1% KCl 260 120 Stable [>84 days] 5 2 1% KCl 275 24  6% syneresis in 85 days 6 1 2% KCl 230 — Did not gel in 164 days 7 1 2% KCl 260 336 Stable [>94 days] 8 1 2% KCl 275 96 12% Syneresis in 88 days 9 1 2% KCl 300 24 Slight viscosity in 14 days 10 1 2% KCl 325 4 Gel broke in 4 days 11 1 1% KCl 230 24 Stable [>81 days] 12 1 1% KCl 260 21 Stable [>81 days] 13 1 1% KCl 300 2 Gel broke [chunks] in 23 hrs. 14 1 0.5% KCl   230 28 Stable [>74 days] 15 1 0.5% KCl   275 24 Stable [>81 days] 16 1 Fresh Water 230 32 Stable [>94 days] 17 1 Fresh Water 260 28 Stable [>94 days] 18 0.5 2% KCl 260 168 Stable [>86 days] 19 0.5 2% KCl 275 72 12% Syneresis in 74 days 20 0.5 2% KCl 325 3 Gel broke in 6 days 21 0.5 1% KCl 230 28 Stable [>74 days] 22 0.5 1% KCl 260 48 Stable [>74 days] 23 0.5 1% KCl 275 24 Gel broke [chunks ¹Method A

The results of tests showing the effects of the type of water utilized are given in Table IV below.

TABLE IV Pumping Time Tests Using Vinylpyrrolidone/AMPS ®/Acrylamide Terpolymer and Polyethyleneimine Cross-Linking Agent - Effects of Type of Water Cross-linking Agent Concentration, % by wt. of Type of Pumping Gel Stability Test Polymer Water Temperature, Time¹, and/or No. Composition Used ° F. hrs. Comments 1 1 2% KCl 230 — Did not gel in 7 days 2 1 0.5% KCl   230 28 Stable [>74 days] 3 1 Fresh Water 230 32 Stable [>94 days] 4 0.5 2% KCl 230 144 Stable [>86 days] 5 0.5 1% KCl 230 28 Stable [>74 days] 6 1 2% KCl 260 336 Stable [>94 days] 7 1 1% KCl 260 21 Stable [>81 days] 8 1 Fresh Water 260 28 Stable [>94 days] 9 0.5 2% KCl 260 168 Stable [>86 days] 10 0.5 1% KCl 260 48 Stable [>74 days] 11 2 2% KCl 275 336 29% Syneresis in 64 days 12 2 1% KCl 275 24  6% Syneresis in 85 days 13 1 2% KCl 275 96 12% Syneresis in 88 days 14 1 1% KCl 275 48  5% Syneresis in 88 days 15 1 0.5% KCl   275 24 Stable [>81 days] 16 1 Fresh water 275 48 Gel broke [chunks] 17 0.5 2% KCl 275 72 12% Syneresis in 74 days 18 0.5 1% KCl 275 24 Gel broke [chunks] 19 1 2% KCl 300 24 Slight viscosity in 14 days 20 1 1% KCl 300 2 Gel broke [chunks] in 23 hrs. ¹Method A

The results of tests showing the effects of a gelation accelerator and the cross-linking agent concentration are given in Table V below.

TABLE V Pumping Time Tests Using Vinylpyrrolidone/AMPS ®/Acrylamide Terpolymer and Polyethyleneimine Cross-Linking Agent - Effects of Gelation Accelerator and Cross-Linking Agent Concentration Cross-linking Agent Concentration, Gelation pH of Polymer % by wt. of Accelerator Type of Solution After Pumping Gel Stability Test Polymer Added - Water Cross-linking Temperature, Time¹, and/or No. Composition Quantity Used Agent ° F. hrs. Comments 1 0.47 None 2% KCl 10.8 193 34 — 2 0.47 Boric Acid - 2% KCl  9.8 196 13 — 0.28 g 3 0.25 None 2% KCl — 230 168 Stable [>64 days] 4 0.50 None 2% KCl — 230 144 Stable [>86 days] 5 1 None 2% KCl — 230 — Did not gel in 168 hr. 6 2 None 2% KCl — 230 — Did not gel in 168 hr. 7 0.5 None 1% KCl — 230 28 Stable [>74 days] 8 1 None 1% KCl — 230 24 Stable [>74 days] 9 1 None 2% KCl — 260 336 Stable [>94 days] 10 0.5 None 2% KCl — 260 168 Stable [>86 days] 11 0.25 None 2% KCl — 260 96 Stable [>64 days] 12 2 None 2% KCl — 275 336 29% Syneresis in 64 days 13 1 None 2% KCl — 275 96 12% Syneresis in 88 days 14 0.5 None 2% KCl — 275 72 12% Syneresis in 74 days 15 1 None 2% KCl — 300 24 Slight viscosity in 14 days 16 2 None 2% KCl — 300 72 Gel broke in 14 days [90% gelation] 17 0.5 None 2% KCl — 325 3 Gel broke in 6 days 18 1 None 2% KCl — 325 4 Gel broke in 4 days 19 2 None 2% KCl — 325 15 Weak gel ¹Method A

EXAMPLE 4

The test procedure described in Example 1 was repeated except that various polymers were utilized in the polymer compositions which differed from each other in the type and amounts of bulky monomers present in the polymer. The polymers utilized and the results of the tests are shown in Table VI below.

TABLE VI Pumping Time Tests Using Various Copolymers and Terpolymers and Polyethyleneimine Cross-Linking Agent¹ Terpolymers, % by weight in polymer composition AMPS ®/ AMPS ®/ N-N-DMA³/ N-N-DMA/ AMPS ®/ AMPS ®/AA² AMPS ®/AA² AMPS ®/AA AMPS ®/AA AA AA N-N-DMA VP⁴/AMPS ®/ VP/AMPS ®/ copolymer, copolymer, copolymer, copolymer, terpolymer, terpolymer, copolymer, AA terpolymer, AA terpolymer, Test 30:70 70:30 80:20 90:10 50:30:20 30:60:10 60:40 30:60:10 60:30:10 No. mole ratio mole ratio mole ratio mole ratio mole ratio mole ratio mole ratio mole ratio mole ratio 1 0.7 — — — — — — — — 2 — 1.4 — — — — — — — 3 — 1.4 — — — — — — — 4 — 1.4 — — — — — — — 5 — — 1.4 — — — — — — 6 — — — 1.4 — — — — — 7 — — — — — — 0.7 — — 8 — — — — 0.7 — — — — 9 — — — — 0.7 — — — — 10  — — — — — 1 — — — 11  — — — — — 2 — — — 12  — — — — — — — 0.7 — 13  — — — — — — — — 2 Pumping Time Tests Using Various Copolymers and Terpolymers and Polyethyleneimine Cross-Linking Agent¹ Cross-linking Type of Agent Concentration, Gelation Pumping Gel Stability Test % by wt. of Accelerator Temperature, Time, and/or No. polymer composition Added pH ° F. hrs. Comments 1 0.47 — — 186 3.9 — 2 1 — 10.9 230 18 — 3 1 — 10.9 275 5 — 4 1 — 10.9 325 1.5 Gel broke in 7 days 5 1 — 10.8 325 2 Gel broke in 7 days 6 1 — 10.9 325 18 Gel broke in 2 days 7 0.47 — — 325 No gel in 4 days 8 1.75 — — 325 12 Gel broke in 4 days 9 1.75 Boric Acid — 325 4 Gel broke in 4 days 10  5 — — 320 5 Stable [>2 days] 11  13 — — 320 24 Stable [>2 days] 12  1 — — 325 4 — 13  16 — — 320 — No gel in 2 days ¹Type of water used was 2% KCl to all tests ²AA stands for acrylamide ³N-N-DMA stands for N-N-dimethylacrylamide ⁴VP stands for vinylpyrrolidone

EXAMPLE 5

The procedure described in Example 1 was repeated except that the polymers in the polymer composition were sulfonated styrene/maleic anhydride copolymers having various ratios of sulfonated styrene to maleic anhydride therein. The molecular weight of the polymers was approximately 10,000. In addition, various polymer to cross-linker weight ratios were tested using various types of water with and without a gelation accelerator. The results of these tests are given in Table VII below.

TABLE VII Pumping Time Tests Using Sulfonated Styrene/Maleic Anhydride Polymers And Polyethyleneimine Cross-Linking Agent Gelation Accelerator Sulfonated Polymer: Used - Styrene/Maleic Cross-linking Type of % by wt. of Pumping Gel Stability Test Anhydride Agent Water Polymer Temperature, Time, and/or No. Mole Ratio Weight Ratio Used¹ Composition ° F. hrs. Comments 1 1:1² 1:0.66 Deionized — 320 10 — [Dl]0 water 2 1:1² 1:0.66 Dl water Boric Acid - 320 10 Gel broke in 7 days 0.003 320 10 Gel broke in 3 days 3 1:1³ 1:1 Dl water — 320 2.5 Gel broke in 3 days 4 3:1³ 1:1 Dl water — 320 — No gelation 5 3:1³ 1:0.5 2% KCl — 320 — No gelation 6 3:1³ 1:1 2% KCl — 320 — No gelation 7 3:1³ 1:1.5 2% KCl — 320 — No gelation 8 1:1⁴ 1:0.5 Dl water — 320 — No gelation 9 1:1⁴ 1:1 Dl water — 320 — No gelation 10 1:1⁴ 1:1.5 Dl water — 320 — No gelation 11 1:1⁴ 1:0.5 2% KCl — 320 — No gelation 12 1:1⁴ 1:1 2% KCl — 320 — No gelation 13 1:1⁴ 1:1.5 2% KCl — 320 — No gelation 14 3:1⁴ 1:0.5 Dl water — 320 — No gelation 15 3:1⁴ 1:1 Dl water — 320 70% gel Gel broke in 24 hrs. at 5.5 hr. 16 3:1⁴ 1:1.5 Dl water — 320 5.5 Viscosity less in 24 hr. 17 3:1⁴ 1:1.5 Dl water Urea - 320 1.5 Gel broke in 24 hr. .009 18 3:1⁴ 1:1.5 Dl water Boric Acid - 320 4 Gel broke in 24 hr. .03 19 1:1⁵ 1:1.3 Dl water — 320 1.3 Stable [>17 days] 20 1:1⁵ 1:1.3 2% KCl — 320 24 Stable [>7 days] 21 1:1⁵ 1:1.3 Dl water Urea - 320 1.5 Stable [>7 days] 1% 22 1:1⁵ 1:1.3 Dl water — 320 Stable — [>17 days] ¹25% by weight solutions of the polymer and 33% by weight solutions of the cross-linking agent were prepared using the type of water indicated. The solutions were used to form the polymer compositions as noted below. ²10 g of the 25% solution of polymer was mixed with 5 g of the 33% solution of cross-linking agent and the mixture was then diluted with an equal volume of Dl water. ³The 25% solution of polymer was diluted to 5% with Dl water and then mixed with the 33% solution of cross-linking agent in a weight ratio of 10 g:5 g. ⁴The 25% solution of polymer was diluted to 10% with Dl water or 2% KCl as noted and was mixed with the 33% cross-linking agent in a weight ratio of 10 g:5 g. ⁵Undiluted solutions of polymer and cross-linking agent were mixed in a weight ratio of 10 g:5 g.

From Tables II-VII above, it can be seen that the pumping time of an aqueous polymer composition of this invention as well as the gel stability and the time the composition remains in a sealed zone at a high temperature can be controlled by the proper selection of the water used, the polymer or polymers used, the polymer to cross-linking agent weight ratio used and the use or non-use of a gelation accelerator.

EXAMPLE 6

Test portions of a high molecular weight acrylamide polymer with about 10% hydrolysis were dissolved in different types of water. A chitosan cross-linking agent solution prepared by dissolving 0.5 gram of chitosan in 100 grams of a 1% by weight acetic acid solution was combined with each test portion, and the test portions were heated to temperatures in the range of from 150° F. to 190° F. The times required for the test portions to gel and the types of gels formed were determined. The polymer to cross-linker weight ratio, water type, pH and temperature for each test portion along with the test results are given in Table VIII below.

TABLE VIII Cross-Linking Reactions Using Chitosan Polymer to Compo- Gel Cross-Linker Water Type sition Temp., Time, Gel Weight Ratio Used pH ° F. Hrs. Type 14:1 Seawater 5.6 150 42 Lipping 14:1 Fresh Water 5.9 150 No Gelation — 14:1 Fresh Water 5.6 150 No Gelation — w/2% KCl 14:1 Seawater 5.6 170 8.3 Lipping 14:1 Seawater 5.6 190 3 Lipping 28 Seawater 5.6 190 No Gelation —  7 Seawater 5.6 190 3.3 Lipping

From Table VIII, it can be seen that chitosan functions well and is useful as a cross-linker in accordance with this invention.

EXAMPLE 7

Test portions of a t-butylacrylate/acrylamide copolymer solution or an AMPS®/acrylamide copolymer solution in synthetic seawater was combined with the chitosan cross-linking agent solution described in Example 6 above. The cross-linked test 5 portions were heated to temperatures in the range of from 170° F. to 200° F. The times required to gel and the types of gel formed were noted. The polymer to cross-linker ratio, water type and temperature for each test portion along with the test results are given in Table IX below.

TABLE IX Cross-Linking Reactions With Chitosan Polymer/ Temper- Cross-Linker Mix ature Gel Time Gel Base Polymer Weight Ratio Water (° F.) (hr) Type t-butylacrylate/ 14 seawater 170 no — acrylamide gelation in 23 hrs t-butylacrylate/ 14 seawater 190 5.5 ring- acrylamide ing AMPS ®/ 14 seawater 250 48 lip- acrylamide ping

Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those which are inherent therein. While numerous changes may be made by those skilled in the art, such changes are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved method of preventing the flow of water or gas or both through a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a polymeric sealing composition comprised of water, a biodegradable and non-toxic cross-linking agent comprised of chitosan and a selected water soluble polymer which reacts with said cross-linking agent and forms a sealing gel which is stable for a desired period of time at the temperature of said zone and has a pumping time before gelation in the presence of said cross-linking agent whereby said composition can be pumped to the depth of said zone and placed therein; (b) pumping said sealing composition into said zone by way of said well bore; and (c) allowing said sealing composition to form a cross-linked gel in said zone.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said water soluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamide, AMPS®/acrylamide copolymers, sulfonated styrene/maleic anhydride copolymers, vinylpyrrolidone/AMPS®/acrylamide terpolymers, AMPS®/N-N-dimethyl-acrylamide/acrylamide terpolymers and mixtures thereof.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said water is selected from the group consisting of natural seawater, synthetic seawater, brine, unsaturated salt water and fresh water.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said subterranean zone has a temperature in the range of from about 70° F. to about 230° F., requires a pumping time in the range of from about 2 hours to about 96 hours and said water soluble polymer is polyacrylamide.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said subterranean zone has a temperature in the range of from about 70° F. to about 230° F., requires a pumping time in the range of from about 2 hours to about 96 hours and said water soluble polymer is an AMPS®/acrylamide copolymer.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein said subterranean zone has a temperature in the range of from about 200° F. to about 350° F., requires a pumping time in the range of from about 2 hours to about 14 days and said water soluble polymer is selected from the group of vinylpyrrolidone/AMPS®/acrylamide terpolymers, AMPS®/N-N-dimethyl-acrylamide/acrylamide terpolymers, sulfonated styrene/maleic anhydride terpolymers and mixtures thereof.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the weight ratio of said water soluble polymer to said cross-linking agent is in the range of from about 50:1 to about 1.1:1.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said water soluble polymer is present in said sealing composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.5% to about 20% by weight of said composition.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein said cross-linking agent is present in said composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.05% to about 15% by weight of said composition.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein said sealing composition further comprises a gelation accelerating agent.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said gelation accelerating agent is a pH controlling compound.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein said gelation accelerating agent is boric acid.
 13. A method of preventing the flow of water or gas or both through a subterranean zone comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a polymeric sealing composition comprised of water, a biodegradable and non-toxic cross-linking agent comprised of chitosan and a selected water soluble polymer which reacts with said cross-linking agent and forms a sealing gel which is stable for a desired period of time at the temperature of said zone and has a pumping time before gelation in the presence of said cross-linking agent whereby said composition can be pumped to the depth of said zone and placed therein, said water soluble polymer being selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamide, AMPS®/acrylamide copolymers, sulfonated styrene/maleic anhydride copolymers, vinylpyrrolidone/AMPS®/acrylamide terpolymers, AMPS®/N-N-dimethylacrylamide/acrylamide terpolymers and mixtures thereof; (b) pumping said sealing composition into said zone by way of said well bore; and (c) allowing said sealing composition to form a cross-linked gel in said zone.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein said water is selected from the group consisting of natural seawater, synthetic seawater, brine, unsaturated salt water and fresh water.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein said water soluble polymer is present in said sealing composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.5% to about 20% by weight of said composition.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said cross-linking agent is present in said composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.05% to about 15% by weight of said composition. 